New York Post CHSAA boys soccer beat writer Dylan Butler breaks down Sunday’s CHSAA state final at Competition Field on the campus of Adelphi University in Garden City.
Who: Archbishop Molloy vs. Iona Prep
When: Sunday, 3 p.m.
Where: Competition Field, Adelphi University
Archbishop Molloy Stanners
Head coach: Andy Kostel
Record: 11-0-4
Player to watch: Greg Davis
How they got here: Defeated St. Anthony’s (L.I.) on penalty kicks in semifinals
Iona Prep Gaels
Head coach: Marcos Monteagudo
Record: 8-3-4
Player to watch: Cesar Ceja
How they got here: Defeated St. Joseph Collegiate (Buffalo), 2-0, in semifinals
Outlook: When it comes to the postseason, Archbishop Molloy has a flair for the dramatic. The Stanners have won two games in overtime and came out on top in two penalty kick shootouts. Molloy avenged a loss in last year’s state final by beating St. Anthony’s on penalty kicks Friday night. Providence-bound Greg Davis played arguably the best game of his high school career against the Friars. He sacrificed for his team by playing right back in the first half and then moved up front and netted the equalizer from the penalty spot.
The underrated Molloy defense, anchored by sweeper Sebastian Altomarino, has allowed just one post-season goal, a wind-aided free kick in the state semifinals and goalkeeper Joe Ruocco has proven to be the penalty kick king.
Iona Prep bounced back from a disappointing loss to Fordham Prep in the Class A intersectional quarterfinals to beat Monsignor Marin Association champion St. Joseph Collegiate, 2-0, on goals by Ryan MacGillivary and Alem Pelincovic. The Gaels lost to the Stanners on penalty kicks last year in the state semifinals and will also be looking for revenge. The teams played to a scoreless draw at Alley Pond Park on Oct. 6.
